1. How to smash the KS3 Exam
Thursday 21st May
LO: To understand
the structure of
the exam

2. The structure
• The exam is 1 hour 45 minutes long
• The paper is split equally into reading and
writing – 40 marks for each
• There are 4 reading questions and 1
writing question
• There will be a colour insert containing 2
sources on a vaguely related topic
• How many marks available should help
you decide how long to spend on each
question – Just like the GCSE exam timing
is crucial!
• (There will be a clock if you are watchless)

3. BEFORE YOU START
• The first task should be to read both texts you
are given.
• Before even looking at the questions, just get
it straight in your head what is “going on.”
• Try and identify the genre of each text – you
may be told this if you look carefully! –
consider how is each text different?
No more than 15 minutes
reading time just to digest
the two texts

4. Question 1
• As the whole year group is taking this
test, question 1 is designed to ease
you in gently – to give you
confidence and basically ensure
nobody in the hall leaves with a zero.
• It will test your skimming and
scanning skills – can you spot
information in the given source?
• There will be a series of statements
that you will have to decide are true
or false
4 marks = no more than 4
minutes! It’s just not worth it!

6. Question 2
• Question 2 is a bit longer and so is worth 8 marks
• There will be a similar theme to the 2 texts and you will
be asked to write a summary of what is being talked
about
• Can you identify and interpret the information you have
been given?
• Top marks will involve some precisely chosen quotes used
but majority of your answer will be your own words.
• Inference will be required to get above 2 out of 8 -
8 marks = try around 8-9
minutes

7. Question 3
• Question 3 will ask you to look at
one of the texts in particular, asking
you how language is used for effect
• This will test your knowledge of any
language techniques you have learnt
in forever 
• Words / Phrases / Language features
/ Language techniques / Sentence
forms
• You will need to analyse the choice
of language, offer precise quotes
and use a range of subject
terminology appropriately to get the
top Level
12 Marks =
12-13
minutes on
this
question

8. Question 4
• Question 4 will ask you to look
at both sources – you need to
compare how each text
presents a particular theme
• You will need to compare ideas
in a perceptive way – so
comparison connectives must
be used – how many do you
know?
• Quotations must be precise
and well-chosen (You get the
picture by now!)
16 marks –
spend
around 16-
18 minutes
on this
question

9. Question 5 - Writing
• Now you are onto the writing! If you are scared
about timing yourself, you may think of starting
with Question 5 as it is longer
• however, you may want to read the reading texts
first as your task will normally be on the same
theme – so on this practise paper there is an
animal theme!
• So there may be facts or statistics that you may
wish to borrow for your writing (but do not copy
word for word – not so good….)

10. Question 5 - Writing
• Question 5 will set you a statement which you
will use to give your point of view – it will
either be to explain or to argue your point of
view. Be careful as there is a subtle difference.
• To explain – to inform readers by providing
facts using clear statements
• Giving unbiased detailed answers
• Style is linked to the given audience
• Use of structural features to order your answer
• Linguistic devices used for effect
• Sophisticated vocabulary
You will get
to spend the
whole
remaining
45 minutes
on this
question –
which
includes
time to plan
it out!

11. Question 5 - Writing
• 24 marks for content and organisation
• (Is the writing interesting to read? Is it
well organised? Have they used
ambitious words and features?)
• 16 marks for accuracy
• (Spelling, punctuation and grammar)
You will get
to spend the
whole
remaining
45 minutes
on this
question –
which
includes
time to plan
it out!

12. Practise Writing task
• “People become too attached to their pets.
Animals are here to be useful, not to be
spoilt.”
• Write the text to appear on a website about
the treatment of animals in which you
explain your point of view on this statement.

13. Animals - how should they
be treated?
What reasons for each of
the sides could you think of?
We love being attached to our pets –
they should be spoilt!
This is a problem. Animals are here
to be useful